Osnova MB4 (IU)

13 days / 2 stops – €1,525 (per person, twin share)

Tour IntroductionThe popular Osnova packages are perfect for those travelling on a limited budget or with time restrictions.The two-stop trip showcases the most popular highlights of the Trans-Siberian route, with a chance to spend a couple of nights on the Open Steppe, staying in a traditional Mongolian ger, and a few days to explore the natural wonder of Lake Baikal.

Day 1Moscow arrival and city tourArrive Moscow___ (optional arrival transfer can be added). Staying at a centrally located budget hotel, 1 night.We can book extra accommodation and tours in Moscow, along with an extension from Saint-Petersburg.Enjoy a guided orientation tour of Moscow(usually at 2pm or switch to following morning – 3 hrs).The Moscow guides have their own personal touch, while of course visiting the main sites and introducing you to the diversity of Moscow’s architectural styles from Russian-Moscow Baroque and Art Nouveau to the Pseudo-Chinese and Moorish influences. The three-hour walking tour generally includes: Tverskaya street and it’s important buildings, Manezhnaya square, Marshal Zhukov monument, Lubyanka (former KGB building), Aleksandrovsky Gardens and of course the Red Square, St. Basil Cathedral and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Day 2Moscow departureFree morning in Moscow before transfer to Yaroslavsky station. Depart Moscow for Irkutsk around 2pm. (B)

Day 3On trainPassing Perm mid-afternoon, and Ekaterinburg in the evening, traversing the Ural Mountains, marking the geographic border between Europe and Asia.

Day 4On trainStroll along to the dining car or buy fresh produce from local vendors as you stretch your legs on the platform. The train stops around ten times per day, at cities such as Omsk and Novosibirsk.

Day 5 On train across SiberiaThe train traverses the ‘mid Siberian railway’, which was built between 1893 and 1898 crossing the river Yenisei at Krasnoyarsk. It is the half way point on the Moscow to Beijing Trans-Mongolian line. The train winds around the Sayan mountains with some lovely views.

Day 7Listvyanka | Lake BaikalFree time to explore the village, go for a hike in Baikal National Park, and/or visit the interesting Limnological museum. (B)

Day 8Listvyanka | IrkutskReturn to Irkutsk by yourself (guide will provide instructions). Irkutsk is an important staging post on the Trans-Siberian Railway and has an old center very easy to navigate on foot with lovely Siberian wooden architecture and an amazing history of fires and rebuilding. Staying overnight at a central 3* hotel.

Day 9 Irkutsk | Train to Ulaanbaatar Early transfer to station. Depart on train #306 at 08:16 (Monday, Tuesday, Friday departures only). Passing southern shore of Lake Baikal during the day. (B) Passing Ulan-Ude in the afternoon, the train meanders along the Selenge River to the Russian border. Cross the Russian – Mongolian border in the evening, spending time in Naushki (Russia) and Sukhebaatar (Mongolia) for immigration and customs formalities. Custom and immigration procedures are carried out on board the train before continuing on and travelling alongside the Orkhon River and the open plans of Northern Mongolia.

Day 10Ulaanbaatar | Terelj National ParkArrive in Ulaanbaatar early morning around 7am. Meet your local guide on the station platform. Chance for breakfast before beginning tour. Travel east of UB (approx. 60km) to Terelj National Park, with a side-trip to the Genghis Khan monument. Arrive at the ger camp and settle in. Explore the valley with your guide, visiting a local nomad family, and hiking to the Aryabala meditation temple (or alternative area) offering a view of Terelj valley. Your guide and driver will return to UB in the evening.

Day 11Terelj National ParkFree morning on Open Steppe before transfer to UB and central guesthouse, staying 1 night . You have time to explore Ulaanbaatar, e.g. visiting the Gandan Monastery, Sukhebaatar Square and Zaisan Memorial hill. (B)

Day 12Train to BeijingEarly transfer to station. Depart Ulaanbaatar on train #24 at 07:30. The southern plains of Mongolia are very flat and the green grasslands slowly give way to the barren open landscape of the Gobi desert.The Mongolian – Chinese border crossing takes around five hours for immigration and customs procedures and for changing the bogies to accommodate the different gauge railway lines between China and the rest of the Trans-Mongolian / Siberian network. Following the formalities, the train continues its journey through the mountains north of Beijing.

Day 13BeijingArrive at Beijing Main Station around 14:35. End of tour, unless you booked additional services.